Sugar-beet dump.



H; ST. CLAIR.

SUGAR BEET DUMP.

APPLICATION men JUNE 2. 1915.

1 ,00,397.- Patented Oct. 3, 1918.

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H. ST. CLAIR.

SUGAR BEET DUMP.

APPLICATION FiLED mm: 2.19m.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 3 jw/anfiz 5 Harry 6% (Z4277:

Patented 00 3,1916.

H. ST, CLAIR. SUGAR BEET DUMP.

APPLICATION FILED JUNE 2.19l5.

Patented 00b. 3,1916.

4 SHEETSSHEET 4 HARRY ST. CLAIR, QF LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA.

SUGAR-BEE! DUMP.

naoose'r.

Application filed June 2, 1915.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HARRY ST. CLAIR, a citizen of the United States,residing at Los Angeles, in the county of Los Angeles, State of California, have invented new'and useful Improvements in Sugar-Beet Dumps, of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to structures for dumping from wagons or vehicles into cars or other receiving devices, and itspecificall'y pertains to structures adapted for the handling of beets or the like.

It is an object of this invention to provide a dumping structure in which the driveway for vehicles is substantially on a level with the ground and there is little inclination of the approach necessary thereby ef fecting a saving in the work of hauling material onto the dump and in the cost of the structure, as the approach and driveway may be constructed of dirt, concrete or any other convenient filling material.

Another object of this invention is to provide means for screening the material which is dumped, a screening apparatus being operated automatically by the passage of an elevator car.

It is a further object to provide a screening mechanism of such a character that the dumping structure may be of a height much less than those in use at present.

The embodiment of my invention disclosed herein comprises a frame carrying an inclined track upon which an elevator car operates. At the end of the frame a chute carrying a screen is positioned so that it will be tilted at right angles to the direction of movement of the car. Within the chute is disposed a screen which is pivoted at one end to the chute. Means are provided by which on upward movement of the car the chute with its screen isinclined to discharge position so that dumping of a load upon the screen will result in a screening out of any dirt or material which is not desired.

Another means is provided which is actuated by the car in downward movement and will tilt the screen in the chute giving it a greater inclination and arring it, thereby starting any material which is stuck on the screen.

A third means is provided which is operated by a downward movement of the car near the ends of its travel whereby the chute and screen are tilted to a position such that Specification of Letters Patent.

I Patented Got. 3, 1916. Serial No. 31,680.

the screenings are dumped in a place convenient for removal.

My structure also comprises a dumping table upon which the vehicle carrying the load is to be moved. The dumping table is .revoluble, and means are provided for tilting the platform so that the vehicle may be dumped endwise or sidewise depending upon the particular structure of the vehicle. A Windlass is provided and connections made to the elevator car so that by attaching a cable to the vehicle as it leaves the dump the elevator car may be pulled to the top of the dumping structure.

The accompanying drawings illustrate an embodiment of my invention.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of my im' proved dumping structure showing a car in posltion to receive the screened material. and a vehicle in position upon the dumping table. Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the dumping structure. Fig. 3 is a plan view.

Fig. 41 is an elevation-of the dumping table with a vehicle thereon "being dumped endwise. Fig. 5 is a perspective view of the ele* vator car. Fig. 6 is an elevation of the I dumping table. Fig. 7 is a section taken on Fig. 10 is an enlarged rear side elevation of the screening chute and the supporting frame work. Fig. 11 is an enlarged section through the screen taken on theline 1111, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is an enlarged detail view in elevation of the windlass structure for lifting the elevator car.

More specifically 18 indicates the dumping table structure, 1a the inclined track, 15 the screening chute structure, 16 the elevator car, 17 a vehicle which carries the load to be dumped, and 18 a car into which the screened material is dumped.

A pit 19 is excavated of suflicient depth to admit the dumping table structure 13 so that the dumping platform 20 will be substantially at the height of the surface of the ground in order that it may not be neced upon shaft nected by suitable cross members, 25, 26, 27 and 28. The particular frame work is not material, and it may be constructed of wood, but preferably of iron, and may be of any form suitably braced to support the dumping table and mechanism secured thereto. The dumping platform 20 is circular in form and 'a floor 29 for the driveway registers therewith, which includes a hinged member 30 which may be raised into the position shown in Fig. 4 when it is desired to dump a vehicle endwise. A post 31 is provided as a stop for the hinged member 30 so that when in its lowered position a firm support for a vehicle moving over the driveway will be provided. The platform 201s pivotally supported upon a frame work as indicated at 32 in Figs. 4 and 6.

Referring particularly to Figs. 6 and 7 the dumping table frame work consists of a base 33 which is shown as a flat plate semicircular in form provided with swiveled casters as indicated at 34 so that the dumping table may be easilyrevolved. To maintain the dumping table from tipping a plate 35 of ring formation is secured to the floor of the pit by means of bolts 36 or any other suitable securing means, and over-hangs the edge of the base 33. Mounted upon the plate are uprights 37, 38 and 39 which are here shown as eye-beams. Brace members as indicated at 40 are provided which connect the tops of the uprights 39 and the base 33, thus strengthening the structure. At the upper edge of the pit a plate 41 provided with apertures is mounted and extends inward. Member 42 which is attached to the uprights 39 has an aperture at the end through which a pin 42 may be passed to engage an aperture in plate 41, thereby looking the dumping table inany angular p0sition desired.

Pivotally secured to the platform 20 are bars 43, 44 and 45 provided with notches 46 adapted to engage with the uprights 37, 38 and 39, each of the latter having apertures 47, 48 and 49 through which the bars 43 and 44 and 45 are passed. The outer end of the platform 20 may be supported at any inclination desired by lifting the bars 43, 44 and 45 so that the eye-beams are disengaged from the notches, moving the platform to the proper inclination and then dropping the bars into position where the notches engage the eye-beams. The platform 20 is tilted by means of a cable 50 secured at each of its ends to the platform 20 by any convenient means and cinched about the drum 51. Drum 51 is mounted upon the shaft 52 which carries at one end an operating crank and handle 53, the shaft 52 being supported in bearing members 54, 55 and 56 and mount- 52 is a brake 57 of any well known type. The brake is shown conveniently represented as a band brake.

In order to prevent a vehicle from sliding off the dumping platform as it is tilted I have provided a holder which consists of a buffer 58 secured to a lever 59, the latter being pivoted to the platform 20 through which the lever passes and is secured to a connecting rod 60 which is secured to the other end of a crank arm 61 on a shaft 62. I prefer to use aplurality of levers 59 rigidly connected to each other. supported upon the dumping platform 20 by means of hanger bearings 63 and 64. The shaft 62 has a hand crank 65 secured to one end and preferably integral therewith, and a pinion ratchet 66 which is engaged by a pawl 67, thereby fixing the buffer 58 in any desired position when a load is upon it.

It will be noted that a vehicle may be driven upon the platform and the holder 58 moved against the wheels to prevent the vehicle from sliding off as the platform is tilted. The function of the holder 58 is apparent from an inspection of Fig. 4. here a vehicle is to be tipped sidewise the holder 58 is moved up against the wheels as indicated in Fig. l.

The inclined track structure includes two pairs of tracks, the upper pair comprised of members 68 and 69 which are of greater gage than a lower pair comprised of members 70 and 71. The upper and lower palrs are parallel, the lower pair having at its up per end an inclination away from the upper pair as indicated at 72, and a curved portion 73 adapted to serve as a stop for the wheels of the elevator car 16. The inclined track is supported in any suitable manner,

Shaft 62 is the upper end being secured to the screening chute frame work.

The frame work is here shown as com prised of uprights 74, 75, 76 and 77. Suitable cross-pieces and braces are provided to make a strong structure. A screening chute is pivotally mounted upon the frame work and comprises a trough 78 having a floor 79 and side walls 80 and 81. In the floor of the chute 78 are disposed transverse riifle bars 82 adapted to prevent dirt from sliding along the trough. Mounted upon a frame work 83 are longitudinally disposed screen bars or rods 84 spaced apart so that dirt or other offal, such as leaves, tops, stocks, etc., may pass between the bars. The frame work 83 is pivotally secured to one end of the chute 78 as indicated at 85. Chute 7 8 is pivotally secured to the uprights 74 and 77 by means of bearings, one of which is indicated at 86, supporting a shaft which is fixedly secured to the chute 78. Mounted upon uprights 75 and 76 is a roller 88 which supports the free end of the screen frame 83. An end of chute 78 is provided with a lug 89 adapted to be engaged by the bar 90 which is secured to the arms 91 and 92 which are pivotally secured to uprights 75 and 76. Chute 78 is pivoted at such a point that it will take the position indicated in dotted lines in Fig. 10 if not supported at the inner end.

Mounted upon uprights and 76 for sliding movement is a frame work 93 which is provided with a cross piece 94 at the top adapted to engage the under part of the free end of the'screen frame 83. Frame 93 has secured to it a cable 95 which passes over suitable pulleys and is secured to an operating lever 96 which is pivoted to the lower end of upright 76. The lever is positioned adjacent to the track 71 with its end projccting above the track sufficiently to be engaged by an axle of elevator car 16.

Bar 90 has an eye 97 to which is secured a cable 98 for pulling the bar outward. The bar 90 and levers 91 and 92 are so weighted that the tendency of the bar is to remain in the upright position indicated by the full lines in Fig. 10. An operating lever 99 is pivotally secured to the base of the track structure and attached at its upper end to cable 98. Bar 99 is of such length that it extends above the track member 71 into position to be engaged by an axle of the elevator car 16.

Secured to the bottom of chute 78 near the outer end is a triangular frame work 100 to which is secured a cable 101 rove about a pulley 102, suitably guided about other pulleys and attached to lever 103, which is pivotally secured adjacent to the base of the track structure and extends upward adjacent to track 70 in such a position that it will be engaged by an axle of the elevator car 16.

Elevator car 16 includes a body having a fixed end wall 104: and fixed side walls 105, 106. A cross bar 107 is secured to the tops of walls 105 and 106 and secured thereto are leaves of hinges 108 and 109. The hinges support end wall 110 of the car body so that by tipping the car endwise the load may be dumped. The bottom of the car body 111 is extended beyond the hinged wall 110 and is provided with apertures 112 and 113. Pivotally secured to the side walls 105 and 106 are levers 114 and 115 which extend a slight distance above the edges of the side walls. Secured to the other ends of levers 114 and 115 is a bar 116 guided by strips 117 and 118. Bar 116 is provided with depending lugs 119 and 120 adapted to enter the recesses 112 and 113, thus locking the end wall 110 in place.

Trucks carrying wheels are provided upon the bottom of the car 111, the forward wheels being spaced to engage the inner tracks 70 and 71; the rear wheels being spaced to engage the outer tracks 68 and 69, whereby the car body is maintained in a horizontal position when it is being elevated. Secured to the bottom 111 of the car body is a depending frame work 121 which car ries upon its lower end casters as indicated at 122, the casters being in a plane lower than the plane of the car wheels so that when the elevator car is placed upon a fiat surface it will rest upon the casters. A. strip 123 having a laterally extending portion is provided with an aperture 124. As the car 16 is lowered into the pit 19 a pin 124 may be dropped through the aperture 124 and engaged in a recess in a member secured to the pit floor so that the car may be revolved about a center determined by the recess in the floor pit.

A bail 125 secured adjacent to the rear ends of the car body serves as a means for securing a cable 126 used for lifting the car. Cable 126 is rove about a pulley 127 near the upper end of the screen frame; The cable extends downward into the pit and is supported by suitable rollers, passed over pul leys 128 and 129 to a drum 130 shown in Figs. 3 and 12 but its position only indicated in Fig. 1 which is mounted upon a shaft 131 supported upon bearing standards 132 and 133 and 13 1 mounted in the pit. Secured to the shaft 131 is a drum 135 upon which is wound a cable 136 which passes upward over a pulley 137, the end of the cable 136 being adapted to be secured to the axle of the vehicle. Abrake 138 is mounted upon the shaft 131 and is adapted to control the descent of the elevator car.

In operation a vehicle 17 such as a wagon or motor truck which is loaded with beets is moved upon the dumping platform 20; if the vehicle is of the type adapted to dump sidewise, the table is turned so that the holder 58 is parallel to the side of the vehicle and the hand crank 65 underneath the platform 20 is operated to move the holder 58 against the wheels of the vehicle. If the vehicle to be dumped, discharges endwise the table is turned so that the holder 58 will be parallel to the end of the vehicle body. When the vehicle has reached this position on the platform, the hand crank 65 is operated to raise the holder 58 against the rear wheels. The holder locks itself in position by reason of the pawl 67 locking the pinion ratchet 66. If the vehicle is to be dumped sidewise, the elevator car is moved into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 3. If the vehcile is to be dumped endwise the hinged member 30 is lifted by pulling on the cable 139 thereby lifting it into the position shown in Fig. 1. The car 16 is re- .volved so that it will catch the load as it drops from the body of the vehicle. The pin 12 1 is passed through the aperture 124 fixing the car so that it can be revolved to the proper position for receiving the load and then back into a position suitable for drawing it up the inclined track.

Assuming thatthe vehicle and Platform iso ' operation is performed by rotating the hand crank 53 which supports one end of the cable 50 and slackens the other end, thereby tilt- 1 ing the platform and allowing the load of into the position shown in beets to fall into the car 16. To elevate the car the cable 136 is secured to the axle of the vehicle 17 and as the vehicle moves awa the cable is unwound from drum 135 thereby rotating shaft 131, drum 130 and winding upon it cable 126. As cable 126 is attached to the elevator car 16 the latter moves up the incline. The axle on the front wheels engages lever 99 and lifts it, but as it slackens the cable 98 which is attached to it it has no effect upon the screen. As the car moves farther upward the rear axle engages lever 103 and moves it forward and pulls upon the cable 101, thereby pulling the screen chute full lines in'Fig. 10 where it is ready to screen the dumping material. The bar 90, due to its weight, slips into position under the stop lug 89 thereby holding the chute 78 in dumping position. Asthe car moves farther forward it engages the lever 96 but as it merely slackens cable 94 it will not affect the screen. As the car 16 approaches the upper end of the track the ramp rails 138 which extend inwardly as shown in Fig. 3 engages the ends of the levers 114 and 115, lifting the bar 116 and with it the depending lugs 119 and 120 moving the latter out of the recesses 112 and 113, thereby unlocking the end wall 110 of the car body and preparing itfor dumping. As the car reaches the end of its 111%"61 the front wheels dip into the curved portions of the track 73, the pull upon the bail 125 causes the car to tip its load, dump ing it upon the screen. The beets roll downward along the screen and into the receiving car 18, the dirt and ofi'al collecting in the chute and being stopped from descent by the riffies 82. Cable 136 is now unhooked from the vehicle axle and the car 16 is permitted to descend due to its own weight. To control the speed of descent of the car, brake 138 is applied thereby resisting too rapid movement of drum 130 and cable 126 and the attached elevator car 16. In its downward movement the axle'of the car engages lever 96, pulls it forward and with it the cable 95 which lifts the frame 93 and raises the screen frame 83 thereby giving the latter a greater inclination and starting any beets which have not rolled off the screen. As the car 16 moves farther in its descent the lever 96 is disengaged by the axle and the screen returned to position in the chute. As the car approaches the end of its travel downward toward the pit, it engages the lever pulling it and the cable 98 which actuates the catch bar 90 and pulls the latter from under lug 89 allowing the chute to tilt into the position shown in dotted lines in Fig. 10, the screen being supported upon roller 88 remaining in horizontal position, whereupon the dirt and offal falls out of the chute into a receptacle whichmay be placed beneath it.

It will be apparent that the disturbance of the beets in dumping from the vehicle into the elevator car and from the elevator *ment of my invention as applied to the dumping of beets, my invention may be applied to the dumping of potatoes, corn, clay and various other materials.

The principle of operation of my invention and its embodiment in a beet dump will be understood as not limiting the invention to the detail form shown herein, as the details may be varied to adapt it for the handling of other materials.

l/Vhat I claim is:

1. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged onsaid frame to tilt endwise; a screen on said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars; means for tilting said chute into load discharge position located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of a car in one direction; means for tilting said chute into position to disarranged on said frame to tilt endwise; a

screen arranged to tilt endwise in said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars, means for tilting said chute into load discharge position located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of the car in one direction; means for tilting the screen endwise in said chute in the direction of load discharge located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of a car in the opposite direction; means for tilting said chute into a position to discharge screenings located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of a car in said opposite direction.

3. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame to tilt endwise; a I

7 arranged on said frame totilt' endwise; a

screen in said chute track structure for the passage of cars secured to the'upper end of said frame and above said chute; means for tilting said chute into load discharge position located on the track structure so as to be operated by passage of a car; and means for tilting said chute in a reverse direction to discharge screenings.

5. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame to tilt endwise; a screen in said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars; means for tilting said chute into load discharge position; and means for tilting said chute in a reverse direction to discharge screenings located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of a car.

6. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame'to tilt endwise; a screen arranged to tilt endwise in said chute; an inclined track structure forthe passage of cars secured to the upper end of said frame and above said chute; means for tilting said chute into load discharge position; located on the track structure so as to be operated by passage of the car upward; means for tilting the screen endwise in said chute in the direction of load discharge located on the track structure so as to be the passage of a car downward; means for tilting said chute into a position to discharge screenings located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of a car downward.

7. The combination of a frame; a chute pivotally mounted on said frame; a screen in said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars; a lever pivoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said chute into load discharge position and disposed to be operated by the passage of a car; means connecting said lever and said chute; and means to tilt said chute in a position to discharge screenings.

8. The combination of a frame; a chute pivotally mounted on said frame; a screen in said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars; a lever pivoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said chute into screenings discharge position, and disposed to be operatedby the passage. of a'car';

means to tilt said chute connected to said lever; and means to tilt said chute into position to discharge the load.

9. The combination of a frame;- a chute pivotally mounted on said frame; a screen in said chute; a track structure for the pasoperated by sage of cars; a lever pivoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said chute into load discharge position, and disposed to. be operated by a passage of a car in one direc tion; means connecting'said lever and said chute; a second lever plvoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said chute into screenings discharge position, and disposed to be operated by a passage of a car in the opposite direction; and means to tilt said chute connected to said second lever.

10. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame to tilt endwise; a screen arranged to tilt endwi'se in said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars; a lever pivoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said chute into load discharge position; and disposed to be operated by the passage of a car in onedirection; means connecting said lever and said chute; second lever pivoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said screen endwise in the chute in the direction of load discharge and disposed to be operated by the passage of the car in the opposite direction; 'means connecting said second lever and said screen; and means to tilt said chute into a position to discharge screenings.

11. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame to tilt endwise; a screen arranged to tilt endwise in said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars; a lever pivoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said chute into load position, and disposed to be operated by the passage of a car in one direction; means connecting said lever and said chute; a

second lever pivoted adjacent said track screen endwise in structure for tilting said the chute in the direction of load discharge; means for tilting said screen connected to said second lever; a third lever pivoted adjacent said track structure for tilting said chute into screenings discharge position, anddisposed to be operated by the passage of a car in said opposite direction; and means for tilting said chute connected to said third lever.

12. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame to tilt endwise; a

track structure; a pivoted catch member on said frame arranged to support one end of said chute in load discharge position; a lever pivotally mounted adjacent said track, and disposed to be operatedby the passage of a'car in one direction to release said catch; means connecting said lever and said catch member; and means to move said chute intoload discharge position. V

13. The combination ofa frame; a chutearranged on said'frame to tilt endwise; a track structure; a pivoted ver. pivotally mounted adjacent said track,

discharge 7 catch member on sa d frame arranged to support one end of 7 said chute in load discharge position; a lescreen; means to move saidslidable memcatch member and disposed to be Operated by the passage of a car in one direction to release said catch; means connecting said lever and said a second lever pivotally mounted on said track and disposedto be operated by the passage of a car in the opposite direction; and means connecting said second lever and chute.

V 14. The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame to tilt endwise; a

screen pivotally mounted in'said'chute; a traclrstructure; a pivoted catch member on said frame arrangedto support one end of said chute in load discharge position; a le ver pivotallymounted adjacent said track and disposed to be operated by the passage of a car in one direction to release said catch; means connecting said lever andsaid catch member; a sl dable member dlsposed on said frame to engage the free end of said her to tilt said screen; a second lever pivotally mounted on said track and disposed to and disposed to be operated by the passage of a car one direction; to release said catch; meansconnecting said lever and sald H catch member; a slidable member disposed '(topies ot this patent may be obtained for jmeans for tilting said five cents each, by addressing the Washington, D. 0.

on said frame to engage the free end of said screen; a second lever pivotally mounted adjacentsaid track and disposed to be operated by the passage of acar in the opposite direction; means securing said slidable member and said second lever; a third lever pivotally mounted on said track and disposed to be operated by the passage of a car in the opposite direction; and means connecting said third lever and said chute. 16; The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame; a screen arranged to tilt endwise in said chute; a track structure forthe passage of cars; and means for tilt; ing said screen located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of a car.

'17.'The combination of a frame; a chute arranged on said frame to tilt endwise;

chute; a screen arranged to tilt endwise in said chute; a track structure for the passage of cars; and'means for tiltingsaid screen located on the track structure so as to be operated by the passage of a car.

18. A tiltable screen structure, comprising a frame; a chute pivotally mounted thereon; a screen in said chute; and means in said chute to prevent the discharge of screenings When the chute is disposed in load discharge position, and to permit the discharge of screenings When the chute is tilted in screening discharge position.

" In Witness that I claim the foregoing I have hereunto subscribed my name this 4th day of May, 1915.

' HARRY ST. CLAIR.

"Commissioner of Patents, 

